Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Joe Grahe, His Ability - 33

Joe Grahe came into this September 1991 with a 1-7 record and still looking for his first win as a starter, according to UPI.

Grahe responded by throwing a complete-game that ended in a walk-off Angels win and a win for Grahe, UPI wrote.

"I've been able to get a big monkey off my back," Grahe told UPI afterward. "It's not a question of doubting my ability. It was just a question of when am I going to get a break and win a game."

Grahe's focus later turned from notching wins for himself to wins for the team, and recording saves in the process. He turned closer for the Angels the next year and tallied 21 saves. He then tallied double-digit saves his next two seasons.

Overall, Grahe played in seven major league seasons, recorded 22 wins and 45 major league saves.

Grahe's career began in 1989, taken by the Angels in the second round of the draft out of the University of Miami.

At Miami, Grahe earned the description "one of the finest pitchers" in school history over his three seasons. He completed 11 games in 1988 and 10 in 1989, school records. He also recorded 433 strikeouts and 34 wins. He later won induction into the school's Hall of Fame.

"We hit the home runs and played pretty good defense," Miami Coach Ron Fraser told reporters after the win. "But I thought the night belonged to Joe Grahe."

With the Angels, Grahe started in 1990 and quickly climbed the ladder. He played at AA Midland, AAA Edmonton and then, in August, debuted with California.

Grahe started eight games for the Angels in 1990. He went 3-4, with a 4.98 ERA. He then returned for 1991 and finished 3-7, with a 4.81 ERA over 18 outings, 10 starts.

Grahe then turned closer mid-season 1992. He saved those 21 games for the Angels, but let an August one get away with some wildness.

"I was trying to run a 'cutter' in on him," Grahe told The Los Angeles Times after the loss. "It's been a good pitch for me, but I got a little overaggressive and it hit him. It can happen that way."

Grahe returned to the Angels for 45 more relief outings in 1993. He saved 11. He then got 40 outings in 1994 and saved 13.

He played 1995 with the Rockies, getting into 17 games, starting nine. He went 4-3, with a 5.08 ERA.

Grahe then underwent shoulder surgery. He lost all of 1996 and then played 1997 in independent ball and 1998 in independent ball and the minors before he returned for one final stint in the bigs in 1999 with the Phillies. He recorded his first win back in September.

"It was a long road back," Grahe told The Associated Press after the win. "I went through some tough times, but I still had faith in myself."